15 Top-Rated Campgrounds in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is one of the most adventurous places to camp in Washington State. The national park encompasses a wide variety of intricate ecosystems. These mystical landscapes include a rugged coastline, glaciated mountains, and verdant rainforests brimming with color.

Campgrounds are found within every environment of Olympic National Park. The Park Service operates over a dozen designated campgrounds, ranging from walk-in only to tent and RV sites. And even more campgrounds are operated by the U.S. Forest Service in the adjacent Olympic National Forest.

Much like the immensity of the park, the number of campgrounds at Olympic National Park can feel overwhelming. The best place to camp really depends on the activities that pique the most interest. Whether it's rainforest ambling, tide pool exploring, or mountain summiting, there's a campground close by to support your travels.

Note that Sol Duc, Kalaloch, and Mora are the only national park campgrounds that accept reservations for camping. You can also find more information online or at the park's visitor centers.

Find your next overnight destination with our list of the top campgrounds in Olympic National Park.

1. Hoh Campground, Hoh Rain Forest

The Hoh Campground provides the perfect base camp to explore the surrounding Hoh Rain Forest. This is one of the most popular areas of the park and an internationally renowned wonder of Washington.

As of 2021, all 78 sites at Hoh Campground are available to reserve during the peak season between June 6^th and September 21^st. Reservations are available six months prior to the booking date. The campground remains open throughout the rest of the year on a walk-up basis.

No RV hookups are available, but the sites do accommodate small RVs. All overnight guests have access to flushing toilets and potable water. No showers are available.

A short walk from the campground, the Hoh Rain Forest Visitors Center is a great place to start exploring the lush surroundings. Nearby, the Hoh River Trail, one of the best hiking trails in Olympic National Park, ventures deep into the lush landscape.

2. Kalaloch Campground, Kalaloch

Kalaloch Campground is one of the largest campgrounds in Olympic National Park, located on the South Coast with immediate shoreline access. It has 170 sites, many with ocean views. Most of the campsites at Kalaloch can be reserved ahead of time, leaving very few for walk-in availability. The campground is approximately 30 minutes south of the city of Forks.

The smells, sounds, and occasional mist surrounding the ocean encompass the campground, and several notable beach destinations, including Beach 2 and Beach 3, are an easy walk from the campground. Other ocean access points like Ruby Beach are a short drive away. And the unique Tree of Life is right below the campground, clinging to an eroding cliffside.

Flushing toilets and potable water are available to every overnight guest. The sites are small and limited for larger RVs. Kalaloch is also one of the few campgrounds available for advance reservation, on a six-month rolling basis.

3. Heart O' the Hills Campground, Hurricane Ridge

Heart O' the Hills Campground offers the fastest access to Hurricane Ridge, located 12 miles down the road from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. This proximity makes the campground a popular spot for sunset and sunrise viewings.

The campground is also reasonably close to Port Angeles and the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. This also makes it a popular spot for the first night in the park or for an easy one-night camping adventure.

All 105 campsites fill up quickly on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the summer. The campground remains open throughout the year, though during heavy snowfall, overnight visitors must hike or snowshoe their gear to the sites. The flush toilets and potable water at the campground also turn off during the winter.

4. Sol Duc Campground, Sol Duc

Sol Duc Campground is centrally located between the Sol Duc Falls trailhead and the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It features two loops and nearly 100 spacious sites. Most sites at Sol Duc are reservable ahead of time, which is a recommended approach during the summer season. The best sites to vie for are the ones adjacent to the Sol Duc River.

The nearby resort is accessible by a hiking trail and has a general store with camping supplies. The resort's mineral pools can also be utilized with a small day-use fee. Accessible via a hiking trail or short drive in the other direction, the picture-worthy Sol Duc Falls Trail is perfect for a family day hike. Flushing toilets and potable water are available at the campground.

5. Mora Campground

Marking the southern boundary of the northern Wilderness Coast, Mora Campground provides access to Rialto Beach and other ocean surroundings. This coastal campground is an easy 13-mile drive from the city of Forks.

The 94 sites of Mora Campground are situated among a vibrant coastal forest and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Flushing toilets and potable water are accessible to all overnight users, and some sites have stellar views of the Quillayute River before it dumps into the ocean.

The nearby Mora Ranger Station is open during the summer, where more information about the area is easily acquired. Be sure to make the five-minute drive down to Rialto Beach from the campground come sunset.

6. Staircase Campground

Staircase Campground is one of the closest campgrounds to Olympia in the southeast region of the park. It invites overnight stays beneath the canopies of the Douglas firs that dominate the campground, and ambling nearby, the North Fork of the Skokomish River is adjacent to many of the campsites.

The Staircase Ranger Station is only a short walk away and provides a great first stop in exploring the area. Immediate hiking trails near the campground include Staircase Rapids, Wagonwheel Lake, and numerous backcountry access points.

All 49 campsites at Staircase are available on a first-come, first-served basis and often fill up throughout the summer. Vault toilets can be accessed year-round, and potable water is available throughout the summer.

7. Ozette Campground

On the northwest edge of the Olympic Peninsula, and on the northern tip of Lake Ozette, this small campground caters to tourists who make the long drive out to this remote area of the park. All 15 sites at Ozette Campground have partial or direct views of Lake Ozette and each shares access to pit toilets and potable water.

The Ozette Loop Trail begins and ends near the campground, and the nearby Ozette Ranger Station is available with information throughout the summer. Plan on making the long drive earlier in the day if you're planning on securing a campsite for the night. As a backup plan, other camping and lodging options are in the small community of Ozette nearby.

8. Willaby Campground

Willaby Campground overlooks the southwest shore of Lake Quinault within Olympic National Forest, adjacent to the park. This Forest Service campground lends access to rainforest surroundings and other water-fed attractions. The campground is also down the road from the Quinault Rainforest Ranger Station, as well as the Quinault Mercantile, which is great for miscellaneous camping items.

The Quinault National Recreation Trail passes through the campground, connecting lakefront views with an interpretive rainforest path. Many of the 21 campsites at Willaby have views of Lake Quinault and all share access to flushing toilets and potable water nearby. Non-motorized boat rentals are available a short walk from the campgrounds. Reservations are available at Willaby on a six-month rolling basis.

9. Hamma Hamma Campground

On the far east side of the peninsula and a 20-mile drive from the Staircase Ranger Station, Hamma Hamma is a first-come, first-served campground in pleasant, wooded surroundings. Among the old-growth Douglas firs and 15 tent sites at Hamma Hamma Campground, a former guard station and now six-person, furnished cabin is also available for advance reservation.

Popular recreational outlets stemming from the campground include fishing in the adjacent Hamma Hamma River, backpacking into the accessible Mount Skokomish Wilderness, and learning about the Civilian Conservation Corps along the quarter-mile Living Legacy Trail. Vault toilets are available at the campground, and users need to pack in all their own water.

10. Graves Creek Campground

Graves Creek Campground is accessible with a 14-mile drive on a gravel road from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. This remote forest road leads into the depths of the Quinault Rainforest. A babbling stream provides the background noise for this more isolated campground, audible from all 30 first-come, first-served campsites available.

Despite its remote surroundings and slow-going gravel access road (inaccessible by RVs), Graves Creek is known to fill up during the summer. Part of the popularity of this campground comes from its proximity to backcountry hiking trails, including one of the 13-mile East Fork of the Quinault River Trail — leading to the aptly named Enchanted Valley.

Overnight visitors need to supply their own drinking water. A vault toilet is available throughout the year. Backpacking permits are required to spend the night in the adjacent backcountry.

11. Bogachiel State Park Campground

Bogachiel State Park encompasses nearly 130 acres of dense forest surroundings connected to the southwest side of the park. It's administered by Washington State Parks and offers a very similar camping experience to nearby national park campgrounds. One of the biggest differences, however, is that Bogachiel has showers.

All 26 campsites at Bogachiel are available to book in advance through the state-run reservation system. And the lush canopies that define Bogachiel and the adjacent Bogachiel River Valley warrant enough scenic attraction to never leave the campground. But with areas like the Wilderness Coast and Hoh Rain Forest both 45 minutes away, the state park is often only one destination on an Olympic journey.

12. Deer Park Campground

At more than 5,000 feet in elevation, Deer Park Campground provides a stunning mountainscape by day and celestial showcase by night. The scenic attraction of Deer Park requires a steep and gravel road commute. And while this elevation lends to greater exposure to the elements, the campground's eastern location within the rain shadow allows for often clear camping conditions.

The 14 campsites at Deer Park Campground are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Pit toilets are available, but visitors need to bring their own potable water. The 18-mile Deer Park Road to access the campground is not suitable for RVs and is closed from late fall until late spring.

13. Hole-in-the-Wall Campsite, Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is a stunning seascape on the North Olympic Coast, near the community of La Push. Many opt to visit this iconic Olympic beach for a day visit, and others park their car at the nearby Mora Campground for the night. But the best way to soak in the sunset is pitching a tent at the Hole-in-the-Wall backcountry campsite.

Two miles of sandy shoreline separate the Hole-in-the-Wall rock feature and the Rialto Beach parking area. Permit holders can make camp anywhere in the woodline in this two-mile stretch. Look for already established spots when pitching a tent. Also be sure to bring plenty of fresh water, as the ocean is the only water source.

14. Mt. Tom Creek Campsite, Hoh River Trail

Several backcountry campsites line the 17.4-mile Hoh River Trail. And like the Mt. Tom Creek campsite, the ones closest to the trailhead are excellent for beginner backpacking trips.

It's a flat and less than a three-mile hike to reach the Mt. Tom Creek Campsite from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center and trailhead. Upon arriving, visitors have several areas to choose from. The backcountry site stretches from near the trail turnoff all the way to the Hoh River, with several established sites in between.

For further adventures on the Hoh River Trail, the Five Mile Island campsite is five miles from the trailhead. The Olympus Guard Station campsite is just over nine miles from the trailhead and is a junction for deeper adventures into the park.

15. Sol Duc Falls Campsite

Sol Duc Falls is the crown jewel of this popular northwest region of the park. The nearby Sol Duc Falls Hot Springs also tends to draw a crowd. And for those looking into dipping their toes into backpacking, this iconic waterfall is the place to go.

The Sol Duc Falls backcountry campsite is just beyond its namesake feature, less than a mile from the trailhead. The path is relatively flat the entire way, with minimal undulation. This ease of access makes Sol Duc Falls a great introduction to backpacking.

This easy hike-in is often just an introduction for bigger backpacking trips. The route continues from Sol Duc Falls to access Deer Lake and the rest of the Seven Lakes Basin. This high-elevation landscape includes portions of the High Divide Trail – a true bucket-list backpacking route.

Backcountry Campsites for Beginner Backpacking

Olympic National Park has hundreds of backcountry campsites on the edges and interior of the park. These sites require hiking into and carrying all necessary overnight gear. It helps to make these overnight endeavors for the first time with an experienced friend, but anyone is welcome to enjoy the Olympic Wilderness overnight. Backcountry reservations are required and can be booked six months in advance.

Where to Stay after Your Camping Vacation

Mid-Range Hotels:

• A wide variety of great hotels are located in Port Angeles, the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula, and the Olympic Lodge is a great example of the upscale accommodations to be found. Featuring fast access to Hurricane Ridge, the Olympic Lodge is well reputed for its superior service, gorgeous lobby, and the adjacent 18-hole Olympic Golf Course.
• The Super 8 by Wyndham Port Angeles at Olympic National Park is another option nearby, featuring clean rooms, a friendly staff, and free waffles in the morning.
• For a room with a view, the harbor can be easily seen from the Port Angeles Inn, making this "window to the world" a perfect place to access Port Angeles downtown, Olympic National Park, and the daily ferries to Victoria, British Columbia.

Budget Hotels:

• Port Angeles also has a plethora of budget hotels to choose from, and locations like the Royal Victorian Motel deliver on a favorable rate without trading in comfort or style. Located in a quiet neighborhood, the Royal Victorian Hotel is best known for clean rooms, comfortable beds, and a friendly proprietor.
• A few blocks away, the All View Motel is a family-run, mom-and-pop establishment featuring 20 rooms with either microwaves or kitchenettes.
• For more local flavor, the Flagstone Motel is pet-friendly and only two blocks from the bustling downtown district of Port Angeles.

Map of Campgrounds in Olympic National Park

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